A Walk Through Chanthaburi, Thailand - The Gemstone Capital of the World

The name Chanthaburi is well-known in the colored gemstone industry, but perhaps not so well-known otherwise. More than 80 percent of the world's gemstones come to Thailand for cutting and polishing and the province of Chantaburi is at the heart of this industry. Chanthaburi, known for its red volcanic soil, was once a major gemstone mining hub, especially for sapphires and rubies. While gemstone mining is now limited, the local people have honed their expertise in cutting, polishing, and employing techniques to intensify the stones' color, significantly increasing their worth.
In this video, I am walking through the Chanthaboon Waterfront Community, a strip of waterside houses on stilts with "gingerbread" architecture, towards the international gemstone market. You can also see the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, which is the largest Christian church in Thailand.
Date: August 26, 2023
Device: Apple iPhone 11 Pro
On my feet: Birkenstock Boston Clog, Vegan